Abstract

ALBITER ESCOBAR, Elim et al. Photocatalytic Reduction of Benzophenone on TiO₂: Effect of Preparation Method and Reaction Conditions. J. Mex. Chem. Soc [online]. 2010, vol.54, n.3, pp.133-138. ISSN 1870-249X.

The photocatalytic reduction of benzophenone was studied focusing on improving the yield to benzhydrol. TiO₂ was synthesized by means of a hydrothermal technique. TiO₂ (Degussa TiO₂-P25) was used is a reference. Catalysts were characterized by XRD and nitrogen physisorption. The photocatalytic reduction was carried out in a batch reactor it 25 °C under nitrogen atmosphere, acetonitrile as solvent and isopropanol as electron donor. A 200 W Xe-Hg lamp (λ = 360 nm) was employed is irridiation source. The chemical composition of the reaction system was determined by HPLC. Structural and textural properties of the synthesized TiO₂ depended on the type of acid used during sol formation step. Using HCl, a higher specific surface area and narrower pore size distribution of TiO₂ was obtained in comparison with acetic acid. As expected, the photochemical reduction of benzophenone yielded benzopinacol as main product, whereas, benzhydrol is only produced in presence of TiO₂ (i.e. photocatalytic route). In general, the hydrothermally synthesized catalysts were less active and with a lower yield to benzhydrol. The optimal reaction conditions to highest values of benzhydrol yield (70-80%) were found at 2 g/L (catalyst loading) and 0.5 mM of initial concentration of benzophenone, using commercial TiO₂-P25.

Keywords : Benzophenone; Photocatalytic Reduction; Titanium Dioxide.

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